Sierra Leone

Status

Sierra Leone has developed a Draft National Policy on Business and Human Rights, as a precursor to a NAP. A national policy contains principles and general goals, rather than specific actions.

Process

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has led the development and validation process of the Draft National Policy on Business and Human Rights. The formal NAP is expected to be more extensive in scope. Some consultations have already been held with CSOs, companies, members of host communities and selected state actors. A more extensive procedure is expected once a formal NAP process starts.

In March 2017 and between December 2021 and February 2022, the HRCSL conducted two baseline assessment surveys on the business and human rights landscape in Sierra Leone. Both surveys highlighted the urgent need for policies and laws to comprehensively regulate the investment sector, setting the stage for the development of the NAP on Business and Human Rights.

Stakeholder Participation

With support from Irish Aid and UNDP, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), through its Directorate of Business and Human Rights and Labour Relations, has conducted several stakeholder consultations. From November 28th to 29th, 2024, the HRCSL facilitated a consultative engagement at the Bombali District Council Hall in Makeni, bringing together 40 key stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, Managing Directors of State Agencies, Companies, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The purpose of the engagement was to ensure an inclusive, transparent, and participatory approach to the development of a National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights, while gathering essential input from stakeholders to inform the final document.

Earlier, from June 28th to 29th, 2024, again with the support of Irish Aid and UNDP, the HRCSL organized a discussion with government Ministers and senior officials on the Draft National Policy on Business and Human Rights at Galliness Paradise, Bo City. This workshop saw the participation of 45 individuals (8 female and 37 male), including Deputy Ministers from the Ministries of Gender and Children’s Affairs, and Fisheries and Marine Resources, as well as senior officials from various other ministries. The main goal was to secure the endorsement of government Ministers and senior officials for the draft policy, which is intended to serve as the foundation for a National Action Plan to implement the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs).

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